Chief Human Resources Officer

Princeton Theological Seminary

Chief Human Resources Officer

Princeton Theological Seminary (PTS) seeks a dynamic and accomplished CHRO to create, lead and deploy human resources policies and practices that accelerate the achievement of the Seminary’s strategic plan, desired culture and mission to prepare individuals to serve Jesus Christ in the world. This is an outstanding opportunity for an inclusive, energetic and highly driven executive to turn talent management into a sustainable instrument of organizational transformation that advances strategy and culture.

Established as the Theological Seminary at Princeton by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in 1812, PTS served as the Presbyterian Church’s first graduate school for clergy, and only the second such school in the United States. Though affiliated from the beginning with the Presbyterian Church and the wider Reformed tradition, PTS is also an ecumenical, interdenominational, and worldwide constituency. The Seminary prepares women and men to serve Jesus Christ in ministries marked by faith, integrity, scholarship, competence, compassion and joy, equipping them for leadership worldwide in congregations and the larger church, in classrooms and the academy, and the public arena.

With a beautiful campus in the heart of Princeton, New Jersey, near Princeton University, PTS is conveniently located one hour from both New York City and Philadelphia. The campus includes buildings that date from the early nineteenth century; several have won historic preservation awards. The Seminary has a student to faculty ratio of 8:1 and employs 42 full-time faculty members, most of which are ordained ministers in their denominations. Most PTS graduates advance to minister in local congregations while others pursue teaching, counseling, mission work, chaplaincy, social justice ministry, or careers in administration. The Seminary's global community of graduates includes more than 11,000 alumni serving Christ worldwide.

Reporting to the President, and serving as a member of a collaborative executive council, the CHRO will oversee and direct the human resources function and will help form leaders; create an environment guided by diversity, equity and inclusion; develop a learning culture through skill-building, tool development and career path definitions – all through clear and transparent communication. The CHRO is responsible for developing and executing a human resource strategy in support of the overall strategic direction of the Seminar, specifically through effective talent management, change management, performance management, onboarding and succession planning, training and development, benefits, compensation and human resources information systems and employee relations. As the chief people strategist, the CHRO drives the implementation of policies, practices and key initiatives to further the Seminary's goal of creating and embodying a community of belonging.

This is an exciting time to join the Seminary with a new strategic plan to create and embody a thriving, inclusive Christian community that listens to, respects, builds up and transforms its individual members. The CHRO will be responsible for leading a dedicated human resources team that supports an employee base of about 250 including approximately 42 faculty and 200 staff. In collaboration with the Director of Student Life, the leader will also serve as a co-coordinator for Title IX and Title VI and collectively manage the Seminary’s non-discrimination and anti-harassment policies and related activities. The CHRO will be accessible, connected and engaged with all faculty and staff, yet focused on contemporary human resource delivery. In addition, the CHRO will foster a culture of collaboration to ensure that all staff members are accountable for the successful outcomes of their respective areas and that of the entire organization.

The successful candidate will possess experience leading high-performing teams through organizational change within a complex organization, have a strong understanding of mission and possess exceptional communication and leadership skills. Additionally, the next CHRO will bring broad and contemporary knowledge of all areas of human resources with a demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. Familiarity with ministry, the Church and worshipping communities is desired. A bachelor's degree is required, as is a minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in human resources. Candidates with an advanced degree and/or human resources certifications are preferred.

Additional information about Princeton Theological Seminary may be found at: https://www.ptsem.edu/.

Inquiries, nominations and applications are invited. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Candidates should provide, as two separate attachments, a resume and a letter of application that addresses the responsibilities and requirements described in the leadership profile at www.wittkieffer.com.

These materials should be sent via e-mail to the Princeton Theological Seminary consultants Sarah Miller and Bree Liddell at PrincetonSeminaryCHRO@wittkieffer.com

Princeton Theological Seminary is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment with regard to race, creed, color, ancestry, age, gender, marital status, military status, national origin, religious affiliation (except as religion may be a bona fide occupational qualification for certain positions at the Seminary), disability, sexual or affectional orientation, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait of an individual, or any other characteristic protected by law.